Apparatus and method for removably coupled footwear

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method are described for removably coupled footwear. The disclosed embodiments describe amongst other things, for example, a pair of shoes whereby the soles or top surfaces of each shoe may be connected and disconnected easily.

I. CLAIM TO PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. § 119

The present application for patent claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/671,431 filed on May 15, 2018, entitled, “Shoe Carrying System,” owned by the applicant hereof, and expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND I. Field

The disclosed embodiments relate to an apparatus and methods for removably coupled footwear.

II. Background

There exist a wide range of footwear currently on the market. Dress shoes, high heeled stilettos, flip flops, sandals, sneakers and other designs allow the user to go about their day safely, comfortably and fashionably. Given the large variety of custom footwear, there are situations where a user prefers to have access to multiple pairs, storing and carrying different pairs before, after, or during an event. For example, one might wear sneakers to the gym, change to a pair of flip flips when showering after their workout, and then wear a pair of dress shoes before heading off to work. Footwear comes into contact with the ground, whether indoors or out, and can become dirty. It would be advantageous to have an apparatus and method which prevents footwear soles from coming into contact with and soiling other items being stored or transported. It may also be advantageous to have an apparatus and method that removably secures the footwear pairs together so that they may not become separated.

SUMMARY

Methods and apparatuses for removably coupled footwear are described. In an embodiment, a removably coupled pair of footwear is described, comprising: a pair of footwear comprising a left and right side; the left and right sides having a footwear base; a first mating connector attached to the left footwear base; a second mating connector attached to the right footwear base; and the first and second mating connectors configured to removably couple together.

In yet another embodiment, a removably coupled pair of footwear is described, comprising: a pair of footwear comprising a left and right side; the left and right sides each comprising a sole; a first magnet with a first polarity attached to the left sole; a second magnet with a second polarity attached to the right sole; and the first and second polarities have magnetic attraction.

In another embodiment, a removably coupled pair of footwear is described having left and right sides and footwear bases, produced by the method of: attaching a first mating connector to the left footwear base of the footwear pair; attaching a second mating connector to the right footwear base of the footwear pair; the first and second mating connectors configured to removably couple together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The following embodiments may be better understood by referring to the following figures. The figures are presented for illustration purposes only, and may not be drawn to scale or show every feature, orientation, or detail of the embodiments. They are simplified to help one of skill in the art understand the embodiments readily, and should not be considered limiting.

FIG. 1 illustrates a disconnected footwear pair in an embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a removably connected side view of footwear in an embodiment.

FIG. 3A illustrates a different type of mating connector used in an embodiment.

FIG. 3B illustrates another type of mating connector used in an embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a mating connector configuration in an embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a pair of stilettos in another mating connector configuration.

FIG. 6. illustrates a method of making a removably coupled pair of shoes in an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Each of the additional features and teachings disclosed below can be utilized separately or in conjunction with other features and teachings to provide a method, apparatus, and system for removably coupled footwear. Representative examples of the following embodiments, will now be described in further detail with reference to the attached drawings. This detailed description is merely intended to teach a person of skill in the art details for practicing the preferred aspects of the teachings and is not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments.

The disclosed embodiments describe an interactive (removably coupled) pair of shoes and method of using and making. Footwear and shoes herein are used interchangeably, and it is the inventor's intent that both terms, shoes or footwear, are used to broadly mean any footwear that the described embodiments may encompass. For example, in an embodiment, footwear may include socks. In this embodiment, the left and right pair of socks may be kept together so they may not get lost or separated during washing, drying, and sorting.

In an embodiment the user may pick up, or otherwise remove from a bin, box, bag, purse, backpack, suitcase or other storage container a pair of shoes held together as one unit given that bottom of the left sole may be removably coupled to the bottom of the right sole. Before wearing the shoes, the user could split the pair apart, forming a left pair and right pair. After use, the user could re-connect the soles of the shoes back together. In an embodiment, the soles attach and detach magnetically. In other embodiments, the soles attach and detach via other removably coupled connectors. A benefit of the disclosed embodiments may be that the dirty soles of footwear, connected during storage and transport, may be prevented from coming into contact with other items the user wishes to keep clean. Another benefit may be that the footwear will be kept together and the individual shoes may not get separated or lost. Another benefit may be that it makes the user's task convenient, because no additional bag or container for the pairs of shoes would be needed.

FIG. 1 illustrates a disconnected left flip flop 10 and a right flip flop 20, creating a pair 100. A person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that flip flops are shown as an example of footwear, but any pairs of footwear are envisioned in the described embodiments: dress shoes, sneakers, sandals, slippers, boots, swim booties, socks, clogs and other items people wear on their feet for style and protection. The flip flops 10 and 20 in the illustration are comprised of a footwear base (e.g. sole, or portion of the sole, bottom insert) 30 and 40. In an embodiment, mating connectors 70 and 60 may be attached to the footwear base 30 for the left flip flop 10 and mating connectors 80 and 90 may be attached to the footwear base 40. The matting connectors may be capable of being removably coupled.

The mating connectors may be held in place by glue, epoxy, molded into the base, mechanically inserted, or other appropriate attaching method that may hold the mating connector securely in the footwear base over time. In an embodiment, one side of each mating connector may be exposed to the outside. In an embodiment, the mating connector may be internal (or embedded) in the footwear base. Thus, mating connectors may be attached to the soles of footwear internally or externally. For example, a magnet mating connector may be strong enough to be placed inside a footwear base (e.g. sole) and not exposed to the outside. The mating connectors may or may not come in contact with the ground while the user walks. The exposed side of mating connector 70 of the left flip flop 10 may have an opposite connector structure than that of its mating connector 80 in flip flop 20, so they removably attract/mate to each other. For example, if mating connectors are magnets, then the left 70 and right 80 may have opposite polarities. If the mating connectors are for example, a slotted channel connection type, then the left mating connector 70 may be the slot portion while right side mating connector 80 may be the T portion. Similarly, mating connector 60 may have its exposed side having opposite polarity to the exposed portion of mating connector 90. In another embodiment, 70, 80, 60, and 90 may be velcro fasteners, tacky silicone, interlocking mechanical mechanisms, friction push type connectors, push in and twist connectors, slotted channel connectors (T-slot, V-slot, L-slot), or tab and slot connection, that may allow the shoes to be connected and disconnected easily.

In an embodiment, a magnet may be used as mating connectors 70, 80, 60, and 90. In an embodiment, the magnets may be between 1 mm and 10 mm thick, and 4 mm to 20 mm in diameter. In another embodiment, the magnets may be 15 mm in diameter and 6 mm thick. In an embodiment, the magnets may need to have between 1-10 lbs of pull force strength. Moreover, the pull force may vary per type of footwear as different footwear weighs differently, and in general; the pull force needed is the amount needed to pull a pair of footwear apart without significant exertion and allow the pair to remain connected together under normal storage conditions. The grade (e.g. N35) of the magnet and its size and shape may vary its strength (pull force) and thus a person of ordinary skill in the art may calculate the desired strength for a particular footwear based on these factors. In an embodiment, the magnets may have an outer perimeter that may be circular (disc), rectangular (rectangular prism), square (cube), or some other geometric shape (rod or ring).

FIG. 2 illustrates a removably connected side view of a left flipflop 10 and right flipflop 20 which together make a pair 200. The mating connectors attached to the shoes 70, 80, 60, and 90, may be made of plastic, wood, metal, magnets, Velcro (or hook and loop), epoxy, or tacky silicone, rubber, hardening adhesives, such that 70 removably couples to 80, and 60 removably couples to 90. In this illustration, the dirty soles of pair 200 may no longer be exposed, thereby minimizing how much the shoes can dirty garments or other items nearby. In another embodiment, the user may connect 70 to 90, and 60 to 80. In other words, the mating connectors may be positioned or orientated differently on the shoes other than as shown. In another embodiment, the user may want to prevent items from touching the top surface of the shoes. In this embodiment, fasteners 70, 80, 60, and 90 may be configured in positions or strengths such that the top surface of the left flip flop 10 connects to the top surface of the right pair 20 and not the bottom surfaces. Or likewise, the connectors may be configured such that the user may decide which way they desire to connect the pair of footwear: top sides to top sides or bottom sides to bottom sides. Some users may prefer this flexibility in configuration as it may protect and may keep cleaner the surface of the flipflop which touches their skin.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B illustrates how a different type of mating connectors may be used. For example, in an embodiment, a push 300 (friction coupling) type mating connector may be used. In another embodiment, a twist (threaded) 310 mating connector may be used.

FIG. 4 shows a pair of flipflops 400, similar to FIG. 2, except each shoe only has one, versus two mating connectors. In this embodiment, the user only has to align one set of fasteners, 70 and 80.

FIG. 5 illustrates a pair of stilettos 510 and 520 which together make a pair 500. In this embodiment, the mating connectors 515 and 525 may be attached to the left and right heels 516 and 526, respectively. For example, the mating connectors may be magnetic rods. This embodiment may allow the sole of the shoe below the ball of the feet to remain thin, which may be desirable, while still allowing the pair to mate given the mating connectors 515 and 525 may be embedded in a portion of the heel.

FIG. 6 illustrates a method 600 of making a removably coupled pair of shoes in an embodiment. Any footwear, mating connectors, or configurations, as described in the prior embodiments may be used for method 600. At step 605, attaching a first mating connector to the left footwear base of a footwear pair. Then at step 610, attaching a second mating connector to the right footwear base of a footwear pair. At step 620, the first and second mating connectors configured to removably couple together.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form or to exemplary embodiments disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in this art. Similarly, any process steps described might be interchangeable with other steps in order to achieve the same result. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the embodiments and its best mode practical application, thereby to enable others skilled in the art to understand the various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use or implementation contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the embodiments be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather means “one or more.” Moreover, no element, component, nor method step in the described disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the following claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. Sec. 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for . . . .”

In addition, the conjunction “and” when used in the claims is meant to be interpreted as follows: “X, Y and Z” means it can be either X, Y or Z individually, or it can be both X and Y together, both X and Z together, both Y and Z together, or all of X, Y, and Z together.

It should be understood that the figures illustrated in the attachments, which highlight the functionality and advantages of the described embodiments, are presented for example purposes only. The architecture of the described embodiments are sufficiently flexible and configurable, such that it may be utilized (and navigated) in ways other than that shown in the accompanying figures.

Furthermore, the purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is not intended to be limiting as to the scope of the described embodiments in any way. It is also to be understood that the steps and processes recited in the claims need not be performed in the order presented.

Also, it is noted that the embodiments may be described as a process that is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process is terminated when its operations are completed. A process may correspond to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a process corresponds to a function, its termination corresponds to a return of the function to the calling function or the main function. A process or method may be implemented with a processor, or similar device, or any combination of hardware and software.

The various features of the embodiments described herein can be implemented in different systems without departing from the embodiments. It should be noted that the foregoing embodiments are merely examples and are not to be construed as limiting the embodiments. The description of the embodiments is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. As such, the described teachings can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses and many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A removably coupled pair of footwear, comprising: a pair of footwear comprising a left and right side; the left and right sides each having a footwear base; a first mating connector attached to the left footwear base; a second mating connector attached to the right footwear base; and the first and second mating connectors configured to removably couple together.
 2. The removably coupled pair of footwear of claim 1, wherein the first and second mating connectors are magnets.
 3. The removably coupled pair of footwear of claim 2, wherein the magnets are ring, rod, rectangle prism, cube, or disc shaped.
 4. The removably coupled pair of footwear of claim 2, wherein the magnets are between 1 mm and 10 mm thick and between 4 mm to 20 mm in diameter.
 5. The removably coupled pair of footwear of claim 1, further comprising, a third mating connector attached to the left footwear base; and a fourth mating connector attached to the right footwear base.
 6. The removably coupled pair of footwear of claim 1, wherein the first and second mating connectors comprise hook and loop material, push connector, a keyed connector, a silicone, or slotted channel.
 7. The removably coupled pair of footwear of claim 1, wherein the left and right sides footwear bases comprise: a sole, an inner insert, an insert, a heel, or a bottom of the footwear.
 8. The removably coupled pair of footwear of claim 5, wherein the third and fourth mating connectors comprise hook and loop material, push connector, a keyed connector, a silicone material, slotted channel, or magnets.
 9. A removably coupled pair of footwear, comprising: a pair of footwear comprising a left and right side; the left and right sides each comprising a sole; a first magnet with a first polarity attached to the left sole; a second magnet with a second polarity attached to the right sole; and the first and second polarities have magnetic attraction.
 10. The removably coupled pair of footwear of claim 9, wherein the first and second magnets are ring, rod, rectangle prism, cube, or disc shaped.
 11. The removably coupled pair of footwear of claim 10, wherein the first and second magnets are between 1 mm and 10 mm thick and between 4 mm to 20 mm in diameter.
 12. The removably coupled pair of footwear of claim 9, further comprising, a third magnet attached to the left sole; and a fourth magnet attached to the right sole.
 13. The removably coupled pair of footwear of claim 9, wherein the first and second magnets are positioned in the center of the left and right soles.
 14. The removably coupled pair of footwear of claim 12, wherein the third and fourth magnets are positioned towards the bottom half of the left and right soles, the first and second magnets are positioned towards the upper half of the left and right soles.
 15. The removably coupled pair of footwear of claim 12, wherein the third and fourth magnets are ring, rod, rectangle prism, cube, or disc shaped.
 16. A removably coupled pair of footwear having left and right sides and footwear bases, produced by the method of: attaching a first mating connector to the left footwear base of the footwear pair; attaching a second mating connector to the right footwear base of the footwear pair; the first and second mating connectors configured to removably couple together.
 17. The removably coupled pair of footwear of claim 16, wherein the first and second mating connectors comprise hook and loop material, push connector, a keyed connector, a silicone material, slotted channel, or magnets.
 18. The removably coupled pair of footwear of claim 16, wherein the left and right sides footwear bases comprise: a sole, an inner insert, an insert, a heel, or a bottom of the footwear.
 19. The removably coupled pair of footwear of claim 17, wherein the first and second mating connectors are magnets.
 20. The removably coupled pair of footwear of claim 19, wherein the magnets are ring, rod, rectangle prism, cube, or disc shaped. 